Jiangxi Chuanyi Noodles (Renwu Main Shop)

Review

The main shop of Jiangxi Chuanyi Noodles is on Zhonghua Road in Renwu, one of the noodle houses Renwu residents have grown up with, and it has since opened branches in places such as Fengshan. Supertaste picked it as a representative stop in its Renwu food roundup, and posts on iFoodie describe it as an old noodle shop every local knows, with the aroma of handmade noodles at its heart.

The menu has four groups, pork, pickled mustard, wonton and beef, each available dry or in soup, with mains at roughly NT$70 to NT$180. The most recommended dish is dry noodles with pickled mustard and shredded pork, NT$70 small and NT$80 large; the mustard stays crunchy and the sauce coats the noodles evenly with a savoury depth. Wonton soup, beef noodles and the braised side dishes in the glass case are also popular, with tofu, kelp and pig's ear to go with the noodles.

Fans praise the springy noodles, generous portions and wide choice of braised sides, along with the traditional decor, spacious air-conditioned room and space for family groups. Complaints are few, mainly that you may need to wait for a table at peak times; some reviewers also say takeaway at a branch was slow, which may not reflect the main shop.

Online listings show hours of about 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:10 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed Sundays; check before you go. There is a free car park, so driving is easy. Noon is the busiest time, so arrive before 11 a.m. or after 1:30 p.m. for an easier seat, and takeaway is available.

Good for office workers, families and travellers passing through Renwu who want affordable handmade noodles. First-timers can order the pickled mustard and shredded pork dry noodles with a wonton soup and two or three braised sides, filling up for about NT$100 to NT$200 per person.